Fail proof ways to not miss a workout:

• Use Bribery – On Friday, I bribed myself with a post workout sugary sweet caffeinated beverage.
• Make Cash – Get paid to workout.  If you enjoy taking spin, step, zumba, yoga or any other group fitness class then get certified to teach.  Then whether or not you feel like working out, you have to workout cause your getting paid.
• Grab a Partner – Sunday, I met my workout partner for a bike ride.  She has been injured for the past few weeks, so I had lost motivation to ride in circles in Central Park by myself.  The miles flew by catching up with her.
• Make it Fun
• Be Your Own Bully – I had to change it up a bit today for my long run.  Normally, I focus on running a prescribed distance on a measured course.  Today I needed a little more freedom than that so I ran for time instead of distance.  As easy as that sounds, I haven’t ran for time in years and I love it!

What are your fail proof tricks for getting your workout in when you have zero motivation?

I grew up in Nashville where Memorial Day and Labor Day were just random holidays.  Here in NYC those days are spot on for signaling the beginning and end of summer.  Which makes me both sad and excited. So, I’m saying goodbye to this:

The end of summer signifies the beginning of a busy season at the gym.  Right now I’m enjoying the stillness by preparing for the storm.  In the next two weeks I’ll begin teaching three additional group classes, two bridal boot camps and  a Biggest Loser style “Last Chance Workout” on Friday nights.   I’m secretly, most excited about getting to yell and scream at people a’la Jillian Michaels. Totally not my style, but it will be SO MUCH FUN!

BTW, our play-list from earlier in the week was a huge hit!  Class was packed and bodies were rockin’.  Maybe we can try again next week?

I’m off to add the Veronicas’ version of “Goodbye to You” to my running play-list.  Otherwise, I’ll be dreading tomorrow’s 1 mile repeats.

What’s your workout plan for Friday?

Our friends, Scott and Amber organized a wine tasting party. Guests were asked to bring a bottle of wine for a wine tasting showdown. The bottles were placed in a paper bag, assigned a number and then passed around for a taste test. We scored each wine based on 5 factors. Then, the wine with the highest score was crowned the winner and the person who brought it was given a fancy wine journal.

We had a really great night! We didn’t leave the party until after 1 a.m. way, way passed my bed time.

It seems the person behind the camera was struggling to take pictures after tasting 15 different wines.

One thing I did in the past while training was miss out on social events. There was no balance in my life, only training. I promised myself that this time I’d be flexible enough with my training schedule to allow for this type of activity. Not doing your long run on the planned day, does not mean skipping it all together or getting bent out of shape. It just means doing it another day. A simple lesson thats been hard to learn.

This type of night isn’t our normal weekend thing. I’m so happy I decided to fully join the party instead of having one foot out the door the entire night. Mondays have been my usual day for long runs, and I guess its gonna stay that way.

How do you balance a demanding training schedule with your social life?

Since I went public with my goal yesterday, that meant that I couldn’t skip out on my long run today. My weekends have been so busy recently that I’ve designated Monday as my long run day. Last night before going to bed, I set out everything I needed to be prepared for an early start.  I even set the timer on my coffee maker (which didn’t work). When my alarm went off I rolled out of bed, ate 1/2 a larabar and headed out the door.  Wow, was it hot out!  I came back from my 12 mile run looking like this. (GROSS! I really can’t believe I post these for all the world to see)

Chafing is something I learned about when I first started running long distances. The sting it causes during a post run shower is intense to say the least. Remember this run? Well that day I forgot to do anything about my “hot spots”. The second I stepped foot into the shower, I belted out a nice scream.

For us runners, anti-friction prevention is necessary. Normally, I would use Body Glide to prevent chafing but recently, I received a few samples of Mission Skin Care Anti-Friction Creme .

This product is impressive. No funny smell or stickiness like Body Glide. It has the consistency of a light moisturizer. You simply apply it to your “hot spots” and magically it prevents you from chaffing. Thanks to Mission, I will forever remain un-chafed during my long runs. Can’t wait to try out their sunscreen.

Central Park

Often, I complain about Central Park.  I long for my old running routes along the hilly roads of Tennessee.  My favorite long runs were usually quiet and peaceful.  The out and back course often included a 7-eleven pit stop and very few encounters with other runners.  Since moving to NYC 9 years ago, 95% of my running is in Central Park.  No 7-eleven.  No peace.  No quiet.  Running in CP is great, don’t get me wrong.  It just doesn’t allow me the element of escapism that I crave while running.

West Side Highway

While running along the West Side Hwy, I kept having visions of Central Park…the shade from the trees, the undulating hills, the water fountians.  The West Side Highway couldn’t give me what I needed.   Central Park has it all.  Because the West Side Highway fell short, my 10 mile run was as painful as any 20-miler in the park.

Before today's sweat sesh

Central Park, I hope you can forgive me for the unkind feelings I sometimes experience.  You do offer all I need for my runs.